What type of foam should i use?

[Jhabuda88]

So i ripped up my boat deck and found some wet foam. Obviously im going to take it out, but what can i replace it with? Is there a specific type of foam i need to use? Should i also ad more foam to the boat, she is pretty full but im sure i could add some more. Lol ill get pics later

 

[Watermann]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Some information on the boat and I'm sure you'll get some correct suggestions.

 

[friderday]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

welcome...I am not nearly as schooled as some of the guys who will chime in very soon. Woodonglass, oops, yacht dr, sphelps, ondvar....the list is endless(sorry to those I'm forgetting to mention but you know who you are and just as valuable). I have never used foam of any kind, but will be adding 2 part urethane to my boat probably tomorrow or Friday. Just tabbed deck in last nite. I will let you know what I think, but hears my theory...it may be costly, but if we(as restorers) are going to go through all the time, money, & labor to get our vessels better than they started, why be cheap with something that will not only firm up the hull/deck, but provide safety should that untimely emergency occur? I'm frugal & some may call me cheap, but I believe this is the way to go. As I said, the fleet of experts will be chatting with you any moment now..enjoy the build!!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

2 lb foam is what you want. US Composites is one place many of us have purchased from. You can get heavier, more rigid foam (e.g., 4 lb.), but the 2 lb. variety is commonly used.

 

[Jhabuda88]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

I have other threads in this forum bout my reatoration but heres some info. 1979 swiftsure, 18ft, 150 mercury outboard. Deck is torn up exposed to the stringers and foam. Had a leak underneath which wet little bit of foam. So just need a good foam product.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Use the 2-part pour-in foam that is USCG approved. 4 lb density for structural areas and 2 lb density for additional flotation areas.

US Composites has kits in 8 and 16 cubic foot amounts.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Your boat was built with 2 lb. density 2 part expanding urethane foam, and that is the minimum you should put back.

If you want to make your boat better than it was when it was new you can use the 4 lb. density foam, it's considerably more water resistant than the 2 lb. density.

You should keep all the questions about your boat in one thread, this makes it easier for you to access the information given to you when it's all in one place instead of hopping around from thread to thread.

 

[Jhabuda88]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Thanks for the tip jigngrub.

Also what is the purpose of the styrofoam that runs along the inside of the boat, above the deck. Usually used for putting fishing rods away or your paddles. Am i allowed to take that right off. Or is it there for a reason

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Flotation foam, the maker wouldn't have put it in if it wasn't needed.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: What type of foam should i use?

Thanks for the tip jigngrub.

Also what is the purpose of the styrofoam that runs along the inside of the boat, above the deck. Usually used for putting fishing rods away or your paddles. Am i allowed to take that right off. Or is it there for a reason

I believe the idea of the foam above the deck is to stop the boat rolling when its sinking. What someone else explained was that when the boat is sinking the foam in the bottom will try to float so less foam is put in the bottom and more is added to the upper sides so the bottom stays heavier and the boat still floats upright. I have a huge area under my deck with no foam and I was going to add foam there until someone told me that the area is designed that way to add weight in the event of the boat trying to sink thus keeping it upright. Im not a boat designer so I followed the advice as it seemed in theory to be plausible.